Accutane Lawsuit 2011 News

by admin on May 1st, 2011

Accutane inflammatory bowel disease problems are initially treated with medications. While many patients eventually decide to undergo surgery to have their colons removed, few start down that path. Instead, one or more drugs are given with the goal of minimizing inflammation, and thus reducing symptoms, such as abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and fever. If you have suffered from IBD after using Accutane please contact us for the latest Accutane lawsuit 2011 news.

There are several medications used, and each poses potential side effects. Some directly target inflammation in the colon while others attempt to address inflamed tissue by targeting the immune system. We’ll present an overview of these drugs below, and describe some of the effects they can produce.

Drugs Targeting Intestinal Inflammation

Anti-inflammatory medications are designed to interact directly with the body’s ability to cause inflammation. One such drug is called sulfasalazine, which is mostly used in mild to moderate cases of IBD. Sulfasalazine is effective and relatively inexpensive, but can cause nausea, headaches, and diarrhea.

Mesalamine has proven to be just as effective as sulfasalazine, but poses less severe side effects. You might still experience nausea and headaches, but they will usually be less pronounced.

A separate class of anti-inflammatory medications called corticosteroids are also effective. The downside is that they can cause several side effects, many of which can lead to long-term health problems. For example, those taking these drugs may develop osteoporosis and high blood pressure. Cataracts, type 2 diabetes, and an increased vulnerability to infection are also a concern.

Because the risk of side effects is high, use of corticosteroids is usually limited to short periods (i.e. less than four months). It is also reserved for cases of severe intestinal inflammation. By the time they are given, other medications will have already been tried and proven ineffective.

Drugs Targeting The Immune System

Immunosuppressants are used to weaken or inhibit the body’s immune system. Doctors believe that inflammation in the colon is triggered by the immune system in response to bacteria or foreign matter. Interrupting this response helps to reduce the level of inflamed tissue.

Azathioprine is an immune system suppressor that works well, but does so slowly. It often requires months to yield results. Another drawback of using this drug is that it can cause nausea, diarrhea, and inflammation in the pancreas and liver.

If the patient suffers from severe Accutane ulcerative colitis, and has not responded to other medications, cyclosporine may be given. It is a powerful drug, but can cause kidney damage, diabetes, and severe infections.

An immunosuppressant called infliximab prevents the body from using tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). These are protein molecules that are found in higher-than-normal concentration in cases of inflammatory bowel disease. Compared to other drugs in this class, its side effects (nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain) are relatively mild.

Methotrexate is also given to suppress the immune system, and can show results in less than ten weeks. Side effects can range from mild to severe. Patients may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, or more serious complications, including liver problems and scarring of the lungs.

Antibiotics For Treating Accutane Ulcerative Colitis

Antibiotics are given for a few reasons. First, they help protect the patient from illness when other medications have increased his or her susceptibility to infections. Second, they help address bacteria in the colon that can contribute to infection. Third, they help inhibit the immune system.

They are not without potential side effects, however. One type of antibiotic called metronidazole can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Those who use this drug over extended periods may also begin to notice a tingling sensation in their extremities. Another antibiotic called ciprofloxacin may produce the same effects as well as restlessness.

Accutane Lawsuit 2011 News
Medications are usually successful in causing Accutane ulcerative colitis side effects to go into remission. As noted earlier, however, many patients eventually opt for surgery to have their colons removed. If you have suffered from abdominal pain, bowel perforations, or other serious Accutane IBD side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an Accutane recall lawyer to discuss your options.